Every trip to South Padre Island is going to be good for birds and bird photography. While that south Texas birding hotspot is best during migration, you are still going to get wonderful looks at lots of great birds no matter when you make your visit.
One of those great birds is the Reddish Egret.
A dark morph Reddish Egret.
Unlike other North American heron species, the Reddish Egret requires a very specific type of habitat. It seems to be a specialist of shallow estuarine habitats on the Gulf Coast and is thus rarely found inland or at other sites.
Note the reddish-orange neck and head and crest.
The Reddish Egret also comes in a white morph but both color phases can be recognized by its dark legs and bicolored bill.
Another look at a fantastic Reddish Egret.
This elegant exotic looking bird shares its rich estuarine habitat with a variety of other wading birds, including species such as White Ibis and several herons.
Beautiful White Ibis on South Padre Island.
A Great Blue Heron tries to catch fleeing fish.
A Tricolored Heron catches a Needlefish.
Shorebirds also occur. One of the more common species is the Ruddy Turnstone, a squat, short-billed shorebird that forages for a variety of prey items in coastal habitats.
The Ruddy Turnstone is one of the more common and colorful sandpiper species.
When you have had your fill of herons, shorebirds, and ibis on the mud flats, watch the salt marshes on South Padre Island for a different set of birds. One of the those is the Least Bittern, a beautiful little heron that lurks in the marsh vegetation.
A Least Bittern makes a rare appearance at the edge of the marsh.
Ducks also occur, including Black-bellied Whistling Ducks with dark pink bills and striking plumage.
A mother and baby Black-bellied Whistling Duck.
A close look at cute baby whistling ducks.
The much more drab Mottled Duck is also present on South Padre Island. It’s always nice to see this bird because it’s a specialist of salt marshes on the gulf coast.
A couple of Mottled Ducks in south Texas.